0 rout; Villa breaks Paraguay resistance at lastJOHANNESBURG – Germany demolished Argentina 4-0 and Spain beat Paraguay by one goal in a quarterfinal of extraordinary drama Saturday as Europe took revenge on Latin America to dominate the World Cup. The results mean three European sides and Uruguay will contest next week's semifinals. South America had dominated the early stages of the World Cup, while soccer powers England, champion Italy and France were all humbled. Germany's crushing of Diego Maradona's side was the second time in two days that a European power had sent home one of the two Latin American favorites, following the Netherlands' shock defeat of Brazil Friday. Spain had to fight long and hard against a tough Paraguay before Spanish hitman David Villa, the tournament's top scorer, took the only goal – his fifth of the tournament – in the 83rd minute after substitute Pedro's effort bounced off an upright. Earlier both sides missed penalties in a frantic spell in the second half. Spanish keeper Iker Casillas saved Oscar Cardozo's penalty and three minutes later Xabi Alonso's first try for Spain was disallowed for encroachment. Paraguayan keeper Justo Villar saved the second. In the semifinals Spain will face Germany, which handed Argentina its worst World Cup defeat in 52 years, outplaying it all over the pitch despite the presence of World Player of the Year Lionel Messi, who was mostly stifled by defenders. Germany and Spain will play in Durban Wednesday while Uruguay faces the Netherlands Tuesday in Cape Town. Germany shocked the Argentines with a third minute goal from Thomas Mueller and scored three times in the second half – twice through Miroslav Klose and once from Arne Friedrich. German coach Joachim Loew said he believed his young team could win the trophy for the first time in 20 years. Chancellor Angela Merkel, who enthusiastically cheered from the stands during the match, said: “It's overwhelming, it's a dream.” Celebrations erupted throughout Germany and more than 350,000 fans watched at a fan park in Berlin. Messi had been one of the most eagerly awaited players in Africa's first World Cup but never scored during the tournament. At Ellis Park tournament top scorer Villa pounced with seven minutes left to score, after his right-foot shot remarkably went in off both posts. “We're in the last four in the world. It's a good moment for Spanish football,” said Spain coach Vicente del Bosque. “There were good things... but we weren't as at ease in possession as in other games and it's important to be comfortable.” Spain captain Iker Casillas, who saved a penalty from Paraguay striker Oscar Cardozo, added: “This is no small achievement. My teammates played a great game. This team, for all the quality we have, can go a long way.” The victory takes European champion Spain into the last four at the World Cup for the first time since 1950. Paraguay coach Gerardo Martino said: “We gave our all, we had opportunities but unfortunately Spain scored and Paraguay didn't... We didn't have luck with us. “It was a game where we showed we could have come out winners. Now we have to resign ourselves to this tough blow.” Until Villa's goal, the hard-working South Americans had successfully nullified Spain's normally dominant midfield and created the clearer chances in a closely-fought first half. The quarterfinal burst into life shortly before the hour when referee Carlos Batres ruled that Spain defender Gerard Pique had hauled down Cardozo in the penalty area. The striker sent his spot kick low to the left of Casillas but the goalkeeper went the right way and saved comfortably. There was more drama at the other end of the pitch minutes later when Spain was awarded a penalty after Villa went down under a challenge from central defender Antolin Alcaraz. Xabi Alonso netted high to Justo Villar's right, sparking celebrations on the Spain bench but the referee made him retake it after players from both sides encroached into the area. Alonso went low to Villar's left with his second attempt and after his shot was saved substitute Cesc Fabregas, on for the ineffective Spain striker Fernando Torres, appeared to be hacked down by the keeper but the referee awarded only a corner. At Cape Town, Germany outclassed Argentina with a superb attacking display. It was Argentina's worst World Cup defeat since the 1958 finals in Sweden when they lost 6-1 to Czechoslovakia. A deflated Maradona told reporters: “This was like a punch from Muhammad Ali. “(But) it doesn't knock my pride in my players because I know the result is not a reflection of what happened on the pitch. They put in their chances, we also had some.” He added it was too early to discuss his own future.
